Lucknow, Nov 10 (IANS): Amid chaos and confusion over getting new currency notes, the Uttar Pradesh Government on Thursday stepped in to help the foreign tourists who are stranded at many places for want of legal currency notes.

On instructions of Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, Chief Secretary Rahul Bhatnagar directed banks in Varanasi and Agra - both major tourist hotspots of the state - to open special counters exclusively for foreign tourists.

There have been reports of these tourists facing major problems since they have changed their currency into Indian money but then the Rs 500 and Rs 1000 currency notes were demonetised by the union government. 

District officials have been asked to "coordinate at the earliest" with bank officials and ensure that the tourists get the new currency notes or get the Rs 100 or below denomination currency notes. 

Meanwhile, the Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (UPPCL) has announced that it will accept old Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes for power bill payments.

Principal Secretary, Power, Sanjay Agarwal had requested the finance ministry to give this relaxation and that was accepted, an official told IANS.